What to see in Dublin in 24 hours

We had 24 hours in Dublin before catching a plane back home.

Ireland is an incredible country.  We were given the advice to head out of Dublin to see the country, and to explore Dublin in a day.  This meant seeing Dublin in our last 24 hours overseas.  

It was well worth it.

Dublin is a beautiful city located just off the coast.  It's busy and touristy, with plenty to offer.  Our first stop was Dublin Castle.  Ireland has only been a free country in the last 100 years.  The renovation in moving a castle to a Parliamentary building is worth seeing the architecture alone.  Inside the castle, you can take a self-guided tour if you don't have time or miss a guided one.  Each room holds the history of the Irish and it's break from the English Crown.  

Trinity College

Trintiy College Update

We booked a guided tour to Trinity College after.  Currently, the Long Room is under renovations.  We've read reviews it's underwhelming without the books.  We loved it.  As an English major, I could have sat just thinking about the writers who had contributed to history.  It holds a Harry Potter feel with a scared ambience.  The Book of Kells is cool, but only if you're really into Biblical history.  With the Long Room under construction, the recommendation is to take the Trinity College tour, as you'll get more for your money, and still get to see the Long Room and Book of Kells.  The history of the college is worth walking, and the tour is given by current students. 

More on St. Patrick's in Dublin

Magna Carta In Christ's Church

We saw St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ's Church.  Christ's Church was a recommendation from a local bartender, and it was definitely worth it.  You can go underground to the crypt's and learn quite a bit.  
Side note: From a religious standpoint, the Church of England is interesting.  It follows the religion of the current King or Queen.  There has been one Catholic monarchy, so the churches were converted at one point for Catholic practice.  Then changed with the incoming monarch.  St. Patrick's Cathedral is NOT Catholic.  Also interesting, the Church of England and the Catholic Church both claim St. Patrick.  

Heart of St. Lawerance

Temple Bar

Ha' Penny Bridge

The night we stayed we did find the Temple Bar area and loved the live music.  It's near Ha'Penny Bridge, a once toll bridge to cross the river.  The entire area is called Temple Bar.  You're looking for the red building on the corner for THEE Temple Bar.  It's worth the stop to say you've been there, but make sure you check out the other venues too.

Our last stop before heading out was the Gaol (jail).  We missed the guided tours and it's on the list to go back.  Ireland's story to freedom is deeply rooted in it's people and their struggles, and we were in awe of their resilience and dedication.

You can do Dublin in a day!  It's worth it!

Gaol Tour

End of our trip outside Christ's Church.  The Church was kind enough to hold our bags for us, an added bonus.  I did 9 days of travel with these two bags!  I (MB) highly recommend traveling backpacking style.  DC prefers a wheeled carry-on!

Carry on for 9 days